PRICE 10 CENTS. 



THE 




IVME 




— OF' 



HEARTS 



RULES OF THE GAME. 



BY 



tec :e nyc^vJO^, 



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20 



GAME OF HEARTS. 



RULES OP THE GAME. 



HOW TO PLAY HEARTS. 



BY 



„ OCT 14.1886' 



NEW YORK : 
EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 

29 and 31 Beekman Street. 



Copyright, 1886, 

BY 

Excelsior Publishing House. 



CONTENTS. 







The Regulation Game of Hearts, 


- ' 7 


The Object of the Game, 


9 


The Double, ox- English Game of Hearts, 


12 


General Philosophy of the Game, 


- 13 


The Yalue of the Cards, 


13 


To Play with more than Four, 


- 21 



I 



PBEFACE. 



The game of Hearts is of recent date, and 
has only been played in the United States du- 
ring the last five years. Hearts is probably 
of German origin, although there is some slight 
resemblance between it and the Miseries, played 
in Boston. Any one then familiar with the 
game of Boston, will at once understand Hearts. 

It has too, the same fundamental rules as 
Whist, is played in exactly the same manner, 
only that there are no partners, each one play- 
ing for himself, and that the number of tricks 
taken do not count, and also that there is no 
trump. 

To play Hearts well requires, perhaps, less 
study than Whist, and is more agreeable on 
that account ; but still a certain amount of 
skill is necessary, and the run of the cards 
must be remembered. 

The best encomion that can be passed on 



I 



6 



Hearts is, that it is interesting enough as a 
game of cards, to be played as a picquet or 
cribbage, without any money stakes. 

The rules for Hearts are few, easily acquired, 
the mental power called into play by no means 
fatiguing, and in the course of play, the sur- 
prises are constant. Hearts, then, combines 
in itself all the requirements of an amusing 
and entertaining game of cards. 



THE MAJOR 



HEARTS. 



The regulation game of Hearts is played by 
four persons, each one taking care of his own 
interests. 

A full pack of fifty-two cards is used. 

The Ace is the highest card, next the King, 
then Queen, Jack, Ten, Eight, Seven, Six, 
Five, Four, Three and Two. 

Cards are shuffled, and cut by the player 
to the right of the dealer, the person to the 
left receiving the first card, the deal continuing 
as in Whist, every player receiving thirteen 
cards. The dealer does not turn up the last 
card, for there is no trump. 

In case of a misdeal, the dealer loses, and 
the deal passes to the left. 



j 



8 



If cards are faced in the pack, the dealer 
re- shuffles, the pack is cut as before, and he 
deals over. 

The first player to the left of the dealer leads 
as in Whist. Players must f ollow suit. If they 
have no cards of the suit, they may discard 
as they please. 

The person taking a trick has the lead. Should 
a player revoke, he has to pay a penalty in chips 
to the other players. The character of this 
penalty varies, as may be determined upon by 
previous arrangement, and this penalty will be 
afterwards explained. A player, however, mak- 
ing a revoke cannot win. 

Hearts is not a continuous game as is Whist, 
where a certain number of points have to be 
scored in order to win the game. When each 
person has played the thirteen cards the 
game ends with that round. The penalties are 
paid and the next round begins. 



9 



THE OBJECT OF THE GAME. 

Reduced to its simplest expression, the object 
of the game of Hearts is to get rid of the 
hearts held in one's hand. 

You may take any number of tricks in 
other suits, but as long as you have taken no 
heart or hearts, you will have no penalties to 
pay. 

You must follow suit just as in Whist, and 
the high cards take tricks precisely as in that 
highly honored game, but you must try and 
take no hearts. 

As the player has the privilege to discard 
hearts, when a suit is played, in which he is 
short, he naturally discards his hearts, or, if 
he takes a trick in some other suit, and fears 
that with the lead he may give his adversaries 
an opportunity to discard their hearts, to his 
disadvantage, he may, if he wishes to, lead a 
small heart, and so give four hearts to another 
player. To get rid of your hearts, and not 
to take any, is the sole object of the game. 



10 



The penalties of the game may now be ex- 
plained, and at once readily understood. 
Counters or chips are used. Each player takes 
twenty-five or fifty chips, or as many as he 
pleases, which may or may not have a money 
value. 

The round being ended, the hearts each player 
may have taken are counted. There are thir- 
teen hearts in the fifty-two cards. If one player 
has taken them all, he pays thirteen chips to the 
three other players, that is four to each, making 
twelve in all, and there is one chip over. This 
chip is left on the table, and is added to the 
total payments made at the next round. 

Suppose with the four players, 

A has one heart, 
B two hearts. 
C - four hearts. 
D six, hearts. 

It is A who wins, for B pays him two, C four, 
and D six ; and A gets twelve chips. 
To take another case. 



11 



A may have two hearts. 
B two hearts, 

C three hearts. 

D six hearts. 

Then A and B having the same number of 
hearts, C pays for three hearts, D for six hearts, 
and A and B divide the penalty, which is nine 
chips, each taking four. Sometimes, in playing 
for chips, a few counters of half values are 
used, so that the division can be made every 
time. 

The rule of payment can at once be under- 
stood, which is that the person or persons taking 
the least number of hearts win. Thirteen not 
being divisible by four without a fractional re- 
mainder, there must always be an odd number 
, of hearts in somebody's hand. 

Now can be better explained the penalty for a 
revoke. 

If a player, to save his extreme penalty, 
which would be thirteen chips, providing he 
took all the hearts, revokes, he has to pay for 
this error, intentional or otherwise, by more 



12 



chips than had he taken all the hearts. The 
ordinary penalty is that a player making such 
a revoke, shall pay to the other players eight 
chips each, or twenty-four in all. 

THE DOUBLE, OR THE EAGLE GAME OF HEARTS. 

Of late, what is called the Double G-ame of 
Hearts is played. The rules of dealing, and 
everything else, are just the same as have been 
described, only there is increased value given to 
the hearts taken, and in this way : 

The Ace counts 14 chips. 
The King " 13 " 
The Queen " 12 " 
The Knave " 11 " 
The Ten " 10 " 

The rest of the cards according to their spots, 
the Deuce being two. It can be seen at once 
how the game augments when these extra 
values are given. 

Another way of counting is to make — 



13 

The Ace counts 5. 
The King " 4. 
The Queen u 3. 
The Knave " 2. 

The remaining cards one chip each. 

For beginners the regular game, (each heart 
counting one), is the best to commence with. 

When revokes are made in the Double or 
Eagle Game of Hearts, the penalties are, in pro- 
portion, much heavier than when the simple 
game is played. Forty chips to each of the 
other three players is exacted. For a revoke, 
when the Ace counts five, the King four, the 
Queen three, and the Knave two, fifteen chips 
to each of the other players is the penalty re- 
quired. 

GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE GAME. 

At the first conception of the game it would 
seem to be quite simple to play it ; but to play 
Hearts well requires a certain amount of study 
and observation. 

The player sorts his cards just as in Whist, 



14 



and can generally at a glance tell whether he ' 
has a good hand or not. 

Differing from most other games, a low hand 
is a good hand, especially a long suit which ends 
with a Three and a Deuce. On the contrary a 
longish suit with high cards, ending say with 
an Eight, is a bad one, for once a player has 
been forced to acquire the lead, he will take all 
the tricks in that suit, and his adversaries hav- 
ing no cards of that suit will load him down 
with their hearts. 

A typically -good hand would be to hold the 
thirteen hearts, providing it was not your lead. 
Then no one could make you take a heart ; 
whereas, if it were your bad fortune to have the 
lead, you would be forced to take every card. 
The same would, of course, happen had you 
thirteen cards of any other suit, providing you 
had or had not to lead. 

Singletons, only one card of a suit, give you 
ample opportunity to lead, A single Ace, or 
single King, Queen or Jack of any suit, is a good 
card. Suppose you do take the tricks with 
your Ace or King, if it is at the first or second 



15 



round, then the next time it is played you 
can discard. 

Though the main object of the game is to get 
rid of hearts, supposing you had the low hearts, 
it would be bad play to throw them out, save 
under special circumstances, to be presently ex- 
plained. 

If you have low hearts, your danger does not 
lay there, but in the other suits. 

Eleven diamonds might have been played 
leaving only the Two and the Three of diamonds 
in, and you might hold this small three. Your ad- 
versary has counted the diamonds, and will be 
certain to play the Two, when you would be 
forced to take it with the Three of diamonds, 
and the other two players would get rid of each 
a heart on your trick. 

Any suit not ending with a Two, you may 
take a trick in; and as a corollary no suit is 
absolutely safe that has not a Deuce in it. 

Threes, Fours and Fives, &c, are the lowest, 
of course, when the Deuces has been once played. 

Everything depends on the judgment shown 
in the leads and on the skill in the discard, ar> d 



16 



this judgment can only be acquired by keeping 
accurate account of the cards which have been 
played. 

Sometimes, with a hand, deliberate judgment 
may be taken as to how it is to be played, but 
before the first three rounds are made very 
little can be told as to the future. 

If suits are evenly divided, your idea of how 
the game will affect your hand may come nearly 
true and to your advantage, but should an ad- 
versary be long on the same suit and the others 
short, your winning game, as you supposed it 
would be, may turn out disastrously for you. 

The hearts, which fall to your adversaries, 
must be carefully counted. The cases where 
the penalties have been described, informs the 
reader how two of the players may each have 
one heart, and the others, more hearts. A good 
player will scheme so as to give the person who 
has but one heart, another one. and then when 
the game is closed, the skillful performer having 
but one heart, and all the rest more than one, 
he takes all the chips and does not divide. 
Sometimes a good player will take a risk to 



17 



carry out this plan, and may succeed, and, as 
often as not through greed or bad luck, will get 
worsted, and, instead of dividing the penalties, 
lose himself. This is the case where the discard 
of even a low heart, may be given sometimes 
with telling effect. 

If a player's cards other than hearts are high, 
it is wise to take tricks at once, because later on 
when other suits are led, adversaries may have 
discarded hearts, having managed to get short of 
some suits. 

There is always a tendency in Hearts to keep 
back hearts until the last few rounds which is as 
often as not an error. 

A thirteenth card will, of course, bring three 
discards or if at the end of the round you have 
three winning cards in your hands, you neces- 
sarily take the tricks, and the obnoxious hearts 
are showered on you. 

Sometimes in a hand you may have the King 
of hearts and the Deuce, and hearts may be led 
up to you, you being the last player. It is a 
question whether you should take the trick or 
pass it. If you take it, you will certainly have 



18 



to pay for four hearts. If you do not and hearts 
are ied again, you have refused to take the first 
trick having put in the Deuce, then you will 
take the second trick with the King, for it is not 
likely that the Ace will be played. How to play 
with these two cards, King and Deuce or a high 
and low heart, will depend on the other cards 
you hold. 

If you are short of a suit, it is wise to trust to 
fortune, for the person having taken four hearts, 
may have enough and change to something else. 

Having, however, four hearts, taken by you in 
a trick, unless you have all the winning hearts, it 
is wisdom to drive the suit home, and divide 
your load, for it is more economical to pay a 
penalty for Four hearts than for Eight or more. 

Sometimes want of courage ends in disaster. 

There is a constant element of luck in all 
games of cards, and sometimes an apparently 
bad hand in Hearts turns out quite well, and 
you may take no hearts at all or only one or 
two, whereas on opening your hand, you firmly 
believed that the bulk of the hearts would be 
yours. 



19 



You have had a chance to discard, and ha^ve 
discarded with skill. 

It often happens that two skillful players pick 
out one another as antagonists, and each holding 
a long suit are determined to wreck their respec- 
tive fortunes. This is to your advantage, and 
you seize on the opportunity to disgorge your 
dreaded hearts to their detriment. 

Suddenly they awaken to the consciousness 
that you are getting the better of their duel, and 
one of them gives you a heart. Now you have 
discarded your last heart, and you respond to 
their lead, by throwing off a high card of an- 
other kind. 

When a suit is led, and a player responds 
with a Deuce, it is to be understood that it is the 
last one he has, or next to the last, or that he is 
afraid to put in his higher card, fearing there 
may be a discard. On general principles this 
may be understood at the beginning of the game 
as a declaration of shortage. 

If you have a long suit, beginning with the 
highest and ending with the lowest cards, there 
can be no use taking the trick, because you can- 



20 



not be forced to take that lead in the suit unless 
you wish to. This, however, requires a careful 
study of the rest of your hand, for if, un- 
fortunately, at the conclusion of the game you 
took a trick, and then were left with your long 
suit, you would have the game all your own ; 
plentifully supplied with the hearts, your ad- 
versaries would shove on you. 

Hearts, it may be remarked, is very amusing, 
because it is a game of pure selfishness, every- 
body looking out for himself. 

There is no rule to be followed by the first 
player, for he changes his play according to 
circumstances. 

The last player, of course, if he has to take the 
trick, secures it with his highest, because he, 
like all the rest of the players, wants to get rid 
of his highest cards. 

A first class player, at the opening cf the 
game, may lead a King with impunity. Some- 
body, having the Ace, will be pretty certain to 
take it, unless he be very long ; then it behooves 
the person who leads to reflect who is long in 
that suit. It may be wise to stop the lead, and 



21 



to find out, by other play and subsequent de- 
velopments, who holds the particular suit with 
him. 

The worst hand at Hearts is one with three or 
four high cards in every suit, in which case it is 
in exact opposition with Whist. 

Single cards are excellent leads, whether high 
or low, for they are not to be considered as indi- 
cations, like in Whist. 

The skill in the game lies not alone in the 
Leads, but more particularly in the discards. 

The best player is one who always knows 
what cards are in, and, just as in Whist, there 
ire Heart experts, who, with talented per- 
formers, can call the last eight cards in their ad- 
versaries' hands. 

TO PLAY HEARTS WITH MORE THAN FOUR 
PERSONS. 

Five persons can play Hearts, but the dealer 
loes not' give himself any hand, he playing only 
)nce in four games. As one of the charms of 
Eearts is its rapidity, the dealer has never long 
bo wait before he plays. 



22 



Five may, however, play Hearts, each person 
receiving ten cards, and the last two cards, 
being concealed, turned face downwards. 

"When three play, one suit may be left out, 
each player taking thirteen cards, but neither is 
the game of five nor of three as good Hearts as 
when four play, or when the fifth player, who is 
the dealer, stays out for the round. To con- 
clude, Hearts is a most pleasant game, highly 
provocative of laughter, and is so entertaining 
that honest amusement can be found in it with- 
out any money stake. 



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guide, fully illustrated 50 cts. 

Marine and Landscape Painting in Water-Colors.— 

A practical guide, fully illustrated 50 cts. 



Marvels and Mysteries of Detective Adventure.— A 

collection of thrilling and interesting stories of the detectives, full of 
daring adventure and curious episodes. It is one of the most attrac- 
tive works of the kind ever issued. Illustrated 25 cts. 



Mind Heading. — A practical explanation of the curious 

phenomena exhibited by "Brown, the Mind Reader," enabling any 
one to perform the experiments. It will furnish a fund of amusement 
and wonder for an evening party or a public entertainment. Many 
persons with a little practice have given very successful tests of "read- 
ing a person's thoughts." Illustrated 15 cts. 



Nightside of New York. — This book is a vivid and truth- 
ful portrayal of the great city after the gas is lighted. 'It presents high 
and low life as they actually are ; the fashionable life and the life in 
slums; it tells about the peculiar characters and scenes which go to 
make up life in the metropolis, the rogues of various degrees, the 
snares of various kinds. It does not seek sensationalism, nor to draw 
on fancy for its matter. "Truth is stronger than fiction." Illus- 
trated 25 cts- 

EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 & 31 Beekman St., New York, N,Y. 

P. O. Box 1144. 

7 



New and Popular Books sent Free of Postage at Prices Annexed. 



Candy Maker. — A complete guide for making all plain 
and fancy candies, bonbons, etc. It tells exactly how to boil the sugar 
or molasses successfully for every kind of candy, how to color, flavor, 
and every operation. This is a good trade in every city, town, and vil- 
lage, and is easily learned. Fresh candies of all fashionable kinds sell 
readily at immense profits, and will build up a trade in any community 
now using the factory kinds. Any grocer or baker couid add largely 
to his profit in a small place by introducing a few of these specialties 
The book also gives a full line of syrups for soda water, recipes for 
many popular styles of ice cream, and other information. Illus- 
trated , 50 cts. 

Carpenter's Manual. — Instructs in the use of tools and 
the various operations of the trade, including drawing for carpenters, 
forms of contracts, specifications, etc., with plain instructions for be- 
ginners, and full glossary of terms used in the trade. Also gives plans 
and specifications for building a number of frame houses. Illus- 
trated 50 cts. 

Detective's Club. — A most interesting book of detective 
life and adventure. Curious, amusing, and thrilling. Large illustrated 
volume 25 cts. 



Diseases of Dogs. — Their pathology, diagnosis, and treat? 
ment ; to which is added a complete dictionary of canine materia 
medica. A practical guide for every dog owner. Tel^s how to prevent 
as well as to cure diseases, and gives much information on care and 
management of dogs If you have a valuable sporting or watch dog, 
or a pet dog of any kind, you should get this book for its valuable sug- 
gestions on care of dogs, and for handy reference in any emergency. 
It is thoroughly reliable, and simple and explicit in its language. 25 cts. 



Dog Training. — Chapters on dog training from the "Art 
of Training Animals." The following briefly gives an idea of its con 
tents : Watch dogs, their selection and value, shepherd's dogs, differ- 
ent kinds and their respective merits and defects, their rearing and 
training. Varieties and merits of sporting dogs ; preliminary train- 
ing, lessons in the field ; water dogs. Performing Dogs — Simple tricks 
and training, to teach him his name, to leap, to walk erect, to dance, 
to jump rope, to sit and lie down at command, to beg, to give his paw, 
to sneeze, to speak for it, to fetch and carry, to bring you his tail in his 
mouth, to stand on a ball and roll it up and down a plank, to walk on 
stilts, to go up and down a ladder, to stand on his head, and walk on 
fore-legs, to '•sing," lump of sugar trick, to feign death, .25 cts. 

Dyer and Scourer.— A complete practical guide, designed 
especially for the use of job dyers. It includes dyeing silk, stuff, or 
mixed goods, cotton, raw wool scouring, scouring for job dyers, and 
job dyeing in all its branches 50 cts. 

EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 & 31 Beekman St., New York, N.Y 
P. O. Box 1144. 

3 



New and Popular Books sent Free of Postage at Prices Annexed* 



Horse-Shoer's Manual.— Includes preparation of foot, 

choice of shoes and their preparation, fitting, filing, nails and nailing, 
shoeing with leather, cutting, removing, etc. Also, Youatt's Treatii-e 
on Diseases of Horses' Feet. Bonner's famous horse, Dexter, ow< -d 
much of his value to good shoeing, and with all horses it is of grav 
importance. This book should be in the hands of every profession;,, 
horse-shoer, and every horse-owner 25 cto. 

Houdin the Conjurer. — This life of the famous French 

Conjurer is full of interesting adventures, "more fascinating than fic- 
tion." Illustrated with numerous engravings. 50 cts. 

How I Became a Ventriloquist,— Describing the methods 

by which the author acquired the amusing art, and also his diverting 
experience therewith . . 10 cts. 

HOW to Make Up for the Stage.— A practical illustrated 
guide for amateur theatricals, charades, tableaux, etc. This is invalu- 
able to any one getting up, or participating in, any of these entertain- 
ments 15 cts. 

Humors of Ventriloquism.— Full of the most entertain- 
ing and laughable scenes, etc 10 cts. 

* Hunters and Trappers' Practical Guide— This little 

book has immense sale, and gives satisfaction every time. It is a prac- 
tical guide to gunning and rifle shooting, tells how to choose arms and 
ammunition, about different kinds of game, making and using traps, 
snares, and nets, batts and baiting, trailing game, preserving, dressing, 
tanning, and dyeing skins and" furs ; season for trapping, hints to trap- 
pers, fire hunting, pigeon catching, camping out; sporting vocabulaiw. 
recipes for sportsmen, secret of successful fishing. It has more in- 
formation than books costing Si to $2, and must not be confounded 
with any catchpenny. It has fifty engravings 20 cts. 

Impromptu Speaker.— This is not a collection of set 

speeches, but guides the speaker in making his own. To point out the 
requirements of ail ordinary occasions of impromptu speech-making, 
and to afford such aid as may be useful, are the aims of this little trea- 
tise. While avoiding formal rules and elaborate disquisitions, care 
will be taken to show clearly the things to avoid, as well as the things 
to strive for, in both the matter and the manner of the speech, and the 
particular points of etiquette to be observed 25 cts. 

Infant Star Speaker.— A collection of choicest pieces for 

little speakers, adapted to different styles and abilities. A valuable 
feature of this book is the instruction on training and managing the 
little speakers, and how to make the most effective appearance a f 
school receptions and exhibitions 25 cts. 

EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 & 31 Beekman St„ New York, N.Y, 
P. O. Box 1144. 

6 



New and Popular Books sent Free of Postage at Prices Annexe 



Horse Portraiture. — Breeding, Hearing, and Training 
Trotters. Preparations for Races ; Management in the Stable ; On ths 
Track ; Horse Life, etc. By Joseph Cairn Simpson. Price $2.00 

Wallace's American Stud Book.— Being a Compilation of 

the Pedigrees of American and Imported Blood Horses, from the earli- 
est records, with an Appendix of ail named animals without extended 
Pedigrees prior to the year 1810, and a supplement containing a history 
of all Horses and Mares that have trotted in public, from the earliest 
trotting races till the close of 1866. By J. H. Wallace. Royal 8vo, 
1000 pages. Price . $15.00 

FIELD SPORTS. 
Frank Forester's Field Sports.— Embracing the Game of 

North America, Upland Shooting, Bay Shooting, Wild Sporting of the 
Wilderness, Forest, Prairie, and Mountain Sports, Bear Hunting, Tur- 
key Shooting, etc. Fourteenth edition, revised and illustrated. 2 vols., 
Svo. Price $4.00 

Frank Forester's Fish and Fishing— 100 engravings. 

Embracing a full illustrated description of the Game Fish of North 
Arae ica. Trout and Salmon Fishing; Shoal Water and Deep Sea 
Fishing ; Lake and River Fishing, Trolling, Fly Fishing, etc. 12th 
edition. 1 vol., 8vo. Full cloth. Price $2.50 

Frank Forester's Complete Manual for Young Sports- 
men, of Fowling, Fishing, and Field Sports.— With directions for 
handling the Gun, the Rifle, and the Rod ; Art of Shooting on the 
Wing; the Breaking, Management, and the Hunting of the Dog ; the 
varieties of Game ; River, Lake, and Sea Fishing. 1 vol., 8v<>. 
Price. o $2.00 

Frank Forester's American Game in its Seasons — 

Fully illustrated and described. In one elegant 12mo volume, beau- 
tifully printed on laid tinted paper, handsome extra cloth binding. $1.50 

Fishing in American Waters.— By Genio G. Scott. New 

and revised edition, with additional chapters on Southern and 
Miscellaneous Fishes, etc. Illustrated with more than 200 wood en- 
gravings. This book is the recognized Standard Authority for Ameri- 
can Anglers and Fishermen, em or icing Coast and Estuary Fi-hing 
with Rod and Line, Fresh Water Fishing with Fly and Bait, Natural 
History of American Fishes, Lake and Coast Fish and Fisheries, 
Southern Fishes and How Angled for, Cookery Adapted to the Re- 
sources of Sportsmen in the Wilderness or on the Wave, etc. One vol- 
ume, 539 pages, 2U8 engravings. Handsomely bound in extra cloth. 
Price $2.50 

The Breech-Loader.— By Gloan. Description, Selection, 
Manufacture, Separation, Loading, Cleaning, Shooting, etc. Price, $1.25 

EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 k 31 Beekman St., New York, N.Y. 
P. O. Box 1144. 

16 



New and Popular Books sent Free of Postage at Prices Annexed, 



Slow Horses Made Fast, and Fast Horses Made Faster, 
— System of increasing speed practiced by the most famous and suc- 
cessful horsemen. Endorsed by Robert Bonner, Esq. Illustrated. 50 cts. 

Sketching from Nature in Pencil and Water Colors. 

—This is an excellent work for young art students : full of prac icai 
information, which they will find clearly presented. Illustrated. 50 cts. 

Snares of New York. — The most complete exposure of 

the perils and pitfalls of this city, the clever devices of wily men ard 
women to eutrap the innocent or the stranger, and the traps of swin- 
(Hedom high a-- I low. A mammoth double-column volume of nearly 
^00 pages, proi'iuely illustrated 50 cts. 

Soap-Maker's Manual. — Plain and practical guide for the 

manufacture of plain and fancy soaps, washing fluids, medicinal soap-*; 
toilet preparations, shaving soaps and creams, soap powders, etc.. iov 
f amilies and in mufacturers. Has best American, English, French, and 
German formulas. Any family in the country can make good soap at 
trifling cost 25 cts. 

Spirit Mysteries Exposed.— A complete exposition of 

all the marvelous feats of the "spirit rappers " and " mediums," Daven- 
ports. Hume, etc., so fully laid "bare that any one can perform. The 
young folks can astonish and amuse their companions and friends by 
exhibitions of these mysterious doings, doing the wonders seen at 
private and public seances. Illustrated 15 cts. 

Standard Sign Writer, The.— This book is very generally 

recognized as the standard work on the subject. Its instructions are 
clear, precise, and practical, and cover just the ground desired hy mosr, 
of the profession. It is divided into two parts, the first giving detailed 
instructions for the different styles of lettering according to the prac- 
tices most approved by the best practical sign-writers. The second 
part consists of a variety of large engraved plates, designed especially 
for this work, and giving some of the best styles of lettering, model 
alphabets, designs for signs, and other things of interest to the profes- 
sion $2.00 

Standard Scroll Book, The— This is a collection of upward 

of 1wo hundred designs suitable for painters, jewelers, designers, deco- 
rators, draughtsmen, and almost every branch requiring ornamental 
scroll work. Prominent features in this booiv are the Shaded scrolls and 
the designs for Signs, Wagons, and Omnibuses $1.00 

Standard Irish Readings.— Gives choicest selections in 

pr- -e and verse, many rare ones, suited to recitation or public reading. 
Whil i specially interesting to Irish people, many of the pieces are well 
adapted to general use, being very fine 25 cts. 



EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 & 31 Beekman St., New York, N.Y. 

P. O. Box 1144. e, 

10 



New and Popular Books sent free of Postage at Prices Annexed. 



Willard's Practical Dairy Husbandry —New edition. 

Over 200 illustrations. A Complete Treatise on Dairy Farms and Farm- 
ing ; Dairy Stock and Stock Feeding ; Milk : Its Management and 
Manufacture into Batter and Cheese ; History and Mode of Organ- 
ization of Butter and Cheese Factories; Dairy Utensils, etc. Price, $3.00 

Willard's Practical Butter Book,— A Complete Treatise 

on Butter Making at Factories and Farm Dairies, including the Selec- 
tion, Feeding, and Management of Stock for Butter Dairying, with Plans 
for Dairy -rooms and Creameries, Dairy Fixtures, Utensiis, etc. 50 illus- 
trations. Price $1.00 

Ten Acres Enough., — A Practical Treatise, showing how 
a very small farm may be made to support a very large family, with 
full and minute instructions as to the best mode or Cultivating the 
Smaller Fruits, such as Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, etc. 
Also, what capital is needed ; where the man of small means should 
locate to secure the most profit ; how he should go to work, and what 
he can do when beginning in a small way. Price .$1 00 

How to Get a Farm and Where to Find One.— Showing 

that Homesteads may be had by those desirous of securing them, with 
the public Law on the subject of Free Homes, and suggestions from 
Practical Farmers. Fully illustrated, cloth, extra. Price $1.00 

Our Farm of Four Acres, and the Money We Made by 

It. lvol., 12mo. Cloth 60 cts. 

" A Practical and Interesting Volume." 

Flax Culture. — A Manual of Flax Culture and Manufact- 
ure, with Directions for Preparing Ground, Sowing and Harvesting, in- 
cluding Hemp and Flax Culture in the West, and Preparation for Mar- 
ket. 8vo, paper. Price 10 cts. 



STANDARD PUBLICATIONS ON THE HORSE. 
A New Edition of Frank Forester's Horse of America. 

— By Henry W, Herbert. In two superb royal octavo volumes of 1300 
pages, with steel engraved original portraits of thirty celebrated rep- 
resentative Horses. This Standard Historical work has been thor- 
oughly revised, newly written, compiled, and perfected by S. D. and B 
G. Bruce. Price $l5.u) 

Wallace's American Trotting Register - Containing all 

that is known of the Pedigrees of Trotting Horses, their Ancestors and 
Descendants, with a Record of all published performances in which a 
mile was trotted or paced in 2.40 or less, from the earliest dates till the 
close of 1868, and a full Record of the performances of 1869 and 1870. 
Giving complete summaries of over six thousand contests. With an 
Introductory Essay on the true origin of the American Trotter, and a 
set of Rules for the Government of all Trials of Speed. By J. H. Wal- 
lace. Royal octavo. Price $10.00 

EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 & 31 Beekman St., New York, N.Y, 
P. O. Box 1144. 

15 



New and Popular Books sent Free of Postage at Prices Annexed, 



Painter's Manual. — A complete practical guide to lionsu 
and sign painting, graining, varnishing, polishing, kalsomining, paper 
ing, lettering, staining, gilding, glazing, silvering, analysis of colors, 
harmony, contrast, philosophy, theory, and practice of color, princi- 
ples of glass staining, etc. Including a new and valuable treatise on 
How to Mix Paints. This book is the best general treatise on the paint- 
er's trade yet written, and gives the information realiy wanted. Ex- 
perienced painters have repeatedly borne witness to its value, and have 
found hints and helps which they had not happened to learn wi-h years 
of practice. To the learner the book is simply indispensable. .... £30 els. 

Phonographic Hand-Book.— For self-instruction in the 
modern improved system, used by practical reporters in the courts of 
law and on the newspapers. It unites simplicity with thoroughness, 
and is the best work for beginners 25 cts. 

Eapid [Reckoning. — System of the famous "Lightning 

Calculator," whose exhibitions seemed almost miraculous; any one can 
learn and apply; valuable to clerks, bookkeepers, teachers, and busi- 
ness men. "This is not a gift, but a scientific process. * * * It will 
be of immense advantage in trade, commerce, and science, and revolu- 
tionize the tedious mode of addition throughout the world." — N. Y. 
Tribune. It is not a 41 table-book," but the art of performing arithmet- 
ical calculations with almost instantaneous speed by processes fully 
taught and easily learned by this book 25 cts. 

Rogues and Rogueries of Hew York.— Exposes all 

frauds and swindles of the great cities, from confidence operators to 
quack doctors, and swindles and humbugs by mail. Nearly 100,000 cop- 
ies have been sold, and it has broken up many swindles. It is highly in- 
teresting, as well as valuable. If you haven't read it, don't fail to do 
so. Illustrated 25 cts. 

Royal Society Drawing Book— This book took the prize 

offered for the best by the London Society of Arts. It advances the 
learner rapidly, at the same time making him thorough in ail he learns. 
It is adapted to self -instruction or use in classes. It has the quickest 
and best methods, clearly presented. Its instructions are exact and 
always to the point, and so clear that the leai ner cannot go astray. It 
is profusely illustrated, covering the whole ground of Freehand Out- 
line from Outline or from the Flat, Free-hand Outline from Objects or 
from the Round, and Practice of Free-hand Outline from Solids and 
Keal Objects. If you want to learn drawing understandingly and cor- 
rectly as well as rapidly, this is the proper guide 50 cts. 

Scene Painting and Painting in Distemper —This 

work gives not only full instructions in the preparation of the colors, 
drawing for scene painters, stage settings, but also useful information 
regarding stage appliances and effects. It has numerous illustrative 
diagrams and engravings $1.00 

EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 & 31 Beekman St., New York, NX 
P. O. Box 1144. 

8 



New and Popular Books sent Free of Postage at Prices Annexed. 



Hitter's Mock Trials. — Containing fourteen original ex- 
amples cf humorous Court Scenes, adapted to performance by- 
Amateurs or professionals. The only book of its kind ever published. 
These Mock Trials are founded on actual occurrences in the courts of 
this country. Play-wright's license has been taken where strict com- 
pliance with the rigid rules of court procedure would be tedious and 
dry. There are no mere extravaganzas in this book. Sharp satire on 
American court methods and manners is the substance into which is 
worked an amount and variety of fun and mock-heroic humor (seldom 
overdrawn). Each trial differs from the others in the prominence 
given to Judge, Attorneys, or Witnesses, and the characters are not re- 
produced. No similar book of any worth whatever has been offered to 
the public, and we do not doubt that the merits of these Mock Trials 
will be speedily recognized. Containing 175 pages. 

Illustrated paper cover. Price 25 cts. 

Bound in extra cloth, gilt. Price 50cts. 

Burdett's Shakesperean Recitations and Readings, 

consisting of choice readings and scenes from Shakespeare, adapted 
to amateur and professional recital. 

Illustrated paper cover .25 cts. 

Burdett's French and Yankee Dialect Recitations and 

Readings. This comprises the most amusing illustrations of French, 
English, and Yankee dialect selected from all the best sources of the 
past and present, characteristic. 

Paper cover . 25 cts. 

March's Dialogues and Speeches for Wee Tots, 

comprising a variety of short speeches and dialogues suitable to chil- 
dren from three to ten years old, and adapted to public and private ex- 
hibitions, school anniversaries, and other entertainments. 

Bound in board, cloth back 35 cts. 

Paper cover 25 cts. 

Haney's Exhibition Dialogues. A large collection of 

two, three, and four part pieces of a spirited description — carefully 
free of tne extravagance which characterizes many school pi^ee« 
Paper 25 cts. 

Wilford's Original Dialogues and Recitations for 

Young Folks, being by far the most complete of its kind ever issued ; 
the author's name is a sufficient guarantee for a large sale. 175 
cages. 

Paper cover 25 cts. 

Board cover, with cloth back 50 cts. 

The Manly Art of Self-Defence and Manual of Train- 

ing. By Ned Donnelly, with 40 instructive engravings, Queensbury 
rules, etc. 

Paper cover 25 cts. 

EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 & 31 Beekman St„ New York, N. Y. 



new and p< 029 604 672 3s 

Sent free of postage at annexed prices. 

Hitter's Book of Mock Trials.— An entirely novel idea. The 
trials are very amusing take-offs of actual scenes in court and 
daily life, adapted to performance by amateurs or professionals. 
Paper cover 25 cts. 

Drummer's Yarns; or, Pun on the " Road," being the 
latest and funniest book published, consisting of the latest jokes, 
squibs, and " sells " in vogue among commercial travelers. 10 cts. 

Bad Memory Made Good, and Good Made Better. — Shows how 
a wonderful power of memory may be acquired by a simple art, 
readily, and enables its possessor to achieve feats incomprehensible 
to those ignorant of the secret. It will be of great assistance to 
teachers, pupils and professional men generally 15 cts. 

Dunbar's Complete Hand-Book of Etiquette,— This work 
presents, in a clear and intelligent manner, the whole art and 
philosophy of Etiquette. Among the contents are : Bodily De- 
portment, Speak Grammatically, Self-Uespect, Pedentry, Social 
Characters, Traveling, Useful Hints on Conversation, etc., etc. 
Bound in boards, cloth back 50 cts. 

Mind Rending — A practical explanation of the curious pheno- 
mena exhibited by Brown, the Mind Reader," enabling any one 
to perform the experiments. Illustrated 15 cts. 

Practical Mesmerist, The.— A plain and practical illustrated 
self -instructor in Curative and Scientific Mesmerism, teaching 
how the reader may acquire and practice the art, with many 
illustrations 25 cts. 

Houdin, the Conjurer.— This life of the famous French Con- 
jurer is full of interesting adventurers, 44 more fascinating than 
fiction." Illustrated with numerous engravings 50 cts. 

Hoffmann's Tricks with Cards, containing all the modern 
tricks, diversions and sleight-of-hand deceptions. Large octavo 
volume containing 142 pages, with handsome paper cover. . .50 cts. 

Progressive Euchre and How to Play It. By the Professor 

10 cts. 

The Complete Debater.— Containing Debates, Outlines of De- 
bates, and Questions for Discussion, to which is added an original 
and complete debate on Free Trade. Bound in boards, with cloth 
back, containing over 200 pages 50 cts. 

Payne's Business Letter Writer and Book of Commercial 
Forms.— Containing specimen letters on all possible business 
topics, with appropriate answers. Added to this are a great num- 
ber of forms for Business Papers and Documents, such as Agree- 
ments, Leases, Promissory Notes, Mortgages, Bonds, Receipts, 
and a host of other forms. Bound in boards, cloth back — 50 cts. 

EXCELSI3R PUBLISHING HOUSE, 29 & 31 Beekman St., N. Y. 

P. O. Box 1144. 



